Source: Yanks to call up Patterson today  —  Following last night's extra-inning affair in which they drained their bullpen, the Yankees will call up righthander Scott Patterson for today's game against the Twins, according to a source familiar with the team's plans.

Fan makes the catch of a lifetime  —  Massachusetts native snags Ramirez's 500th homer  —  BALTIMORE — Like many of the countless Red Sox fans in attendance at Camden Yards on Saturday night, Damon Woo — seated with his brother Jason in section 94, row P, seats 15 and 16 …

RELIEF CRISIS FOR BOMBERS  —  Unable to get cell-phone reception in the Yankee clubhouse, manager Joe Girardi made the long walk to the Metrodome playing field so he could make the call and find out what minor-league reliever or two could make it to the big leagues in time for today's game against the Twins.

Time for Monforts to cash in biggest chip  —  The Rockies are playing dreadful and acting frightened, as if they saw a white sapote-headed alien with Eddie Cantor eyes.  —  They agonized through their sixth consecutive defeat in Chicago on Saturday, have lost 17 of their last 19 on the road …

Smoltz, Gonzalez pitch in minors  —  The Braves' John Smoltz threw a scoreless eighth inning Saturday night for Class A Rome, striking out one, and could be activated as soon as Monday.  —  Mike Gonzalez made his second appearance in his minor league rehabilitation assignment at AA Mississippi.

It's official: Guillen to leftfield so Inge can play third  —  SEATTLE — Carlos Guillen was an outfielder when he signed his first pro contract in 1992.  Then he immediately became an infielder.  —  He has never played the outfield in his 16 years in the pros, either in the majors or in the minors …

MAJOR OBSTACLE  —  WALLY FINDS IT HARD TO GET ‘BACK’ IN THE CLUB  —  THE voice on the other end of the telephone was strong and sincere.  —  “All I need is an interview,” Wally Backman said.  “If they want the best person to take care of their players, I know I'm the right guy.  I'll earn my spot.”

Mets need to keep winning for us to start believing  —  There's an old-fashioned in-house wall phone in the middle of the Mets' clubhouse at Shea Stadium.  When it rings, it's usually for Jay Horwitz, the Mets' venerable vice president, media relations.  —  It rang Saturday night at about 7:20.

Rockies bad top to bottom  —  CHICAGO — From goose bumps to circling vultures.  —  It's been a remarkable seven months for the Rockies.  They represented the National League in the World Series and now are on the verge of becoming a one-stop trading post for contenders.

Abreu's hit boosts Bombers over .500  —  “It's a good sign,” Joe Girardi said.  “To me, it's important to get over .500, because you start looking at getting five games over and go from there in small increments.”  —  The last time the Yankees were over .500 was May 4, when they were 17-16.

A few things and lineups.....  BALTIMORE - Warm day here in Baltimore.  The Sox and Orioles go at it this afternoon.  Brad Mills will manage the Sox with Terry Francona away at his daughters high school graduation.  Mills has now managed three games against Baltimore to Francona's two.